Outfitting a pipe band

[Cygnus]

I don't know if you are committed to a tartan but my pipeband chose a rare tartan. That makes it very expensive for a new band member to buy a kilt. I suggest picking a tartan that you can get from USAKilts maybe their casual kilt option. It get costly when you have to get $80 chanter a $900 set of pipes a $400 kilt a $400 doublet $40 hose $50 spats $200 sporran and on and on. It's nice to have a option to get a sharp looking kilt that only costs $99 so you can enjoy the marches and events. Thats just one guys suggestion.

But the flip side is that you know that somebody that is so heavily invested is in it for the long haul.

[Cowher]

But the flip side is that you know that somebody that is so heavily invested is in it for the long haul.

I was unemployed for about a year. I had nothing to do but practice my piping and look for jobs. I am heavily invested in my band but I'm still broke. Having a option for a cheaper kilt until you can afford a good one gets people involved. If you make it unattainable for some than they will lose interest and quite. Where if they can participate then they will want to look and sound better and better.

[EagleJCS]

Having a option for a cheaper kilt until you can afford a good one gets people involved.

Depends on whether the member foots the bill for the majority of the kit, or the band. Each band does it differently*. If the band buys a large part of the uniform bits without 'selling' them in turn to the members, then those bits remain the property of the band and return to the band inventory when the member leaves, for whatever reason.

Some bits may be bought by the band in bulk to get a lower price, then the band offers the item to the membership at that lower price (essentially reimbursing the band at cost). This works well for things like kilt hose and headgear, that are really personal-type items. (I personally wouldn't wear used kilt hose, no matter how many times it had been washed. ) The more expensive items (kilts, sporrans, waistcoats, etc.) may be purchased by the band and retained in inventory.

The membership would then be expected to maintain ther band-issued equipment to the best of their ability (periodic cleanings, holes repaired, etc.), or they get charged the cost of replacement and keep (the remains of) the damaged/repaired gear.


*(I've been without full-time employment for quite a bit longer - still am. I'm still kitted out with band-related gear because the band owns most of it.)